Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Picked up our Kimbo earlier this week! Had the baskets , solar and propane heater as our only options, so mostly basic for starters. Will use it and figure out what mods are the most important for us and go from there.

 

Congrats on the kimbo! Looks great on your access cab. Just curious as to why you have the 2x4's underneath? To protect the bed or needing it to sit higher?

 

Thanks. The guys at the factory were concerned about the clearance from the bottom of the camper above the cab (below loft) to the fin on top of the cab so they made up a base platform. It gives quite a bit of clearance so I will probably remake it a little lower when I take the camper off.

 

Thanks for all the posts. It all be fun watching your build out process!

 

I ended up replacing the shark fin with an older type low-profile fin as a plug, I put the OE shark fin in the dash for my FM reception, and added an XM antenna on the hood. Let me know if you'd like to know the details...

 

Appreciate that thank you, I will keep that in mind. I think I can probably just put in a bed mat and be fine, but we will see.

 

Came across a Kimbo last weekend at Shelf Road and snapped a photo of a 4 Wheel Camper, Vagabond Drifter (mine), and Kimbo.

They definitely serve different purposes.

 

Damn they look sharp together.

 

Looks like cold climbing too... Can't wait to hit that up this year.

 

I actually wore shorts and a tshirt for a few hours before the sun dropped too low.

 

From what I see so far there is something different on the 2020s but not sure what yet. Took the camper off the truck today as I have to get some lumber for a house project. For sure would like to flatten that sharkfin way down or even eliminate it and lower the profile of the kimbo sitting on the truck a few inches. Possibly eliminating the truck bed framework all together.

 

I would like know. Would love to get my satellite reception back with the camper.

 

Sorry these posts are so scattered, but

Here is the Shark Fin replacement
Here is the XM antenna replacement with bracket here and here
Here is the FM radio antenna (shark fin) relocation

TLDR
Remove shark fin, replace with old low profile shark fin,
Plug in aftermarket XM antenna, and route to ditch light style bracket on hood,
Flip the plug on the original shark fin, plug it into back of JBL headunit, position shark fin behind JBL unit under dashboard for the FM reception.

 

Thanks! That helps a lot. I think ill just unplug the factory and follow your tips on adding the relocated one. I took my factor antenna out and just threaded a black screw in its place. Still picks up HD signal. Really don't use FM that much though. Thanks again.

 

Hey folks! I've been following this thread for a couple weeks now, and my interest in a Kimbo has definitely been piqued. I have a couple questions that I haven't seen directly addressed (but sorry if they were and I didn't see it). If anyone can answer, I'd be much obliged!

First, how much time and effort is involved with getting the Kimbo on and off the truck? I'm assuming that it's probably similar to any other slide-in camper, but I'm just curious what your personal experiences have been. Is it annoying enough that you just want to leave it on, or can two people reasonably load/unload for weekend trips? I have zero experience with any form of camper, so literally any info would aid me.

My next question is asked out of naivete, not out of a desire to be contentious. I don't own a Tacoma, nor have I ever owned a pickup. I've driven moving trucks and things of the like, as well as test drove a new Tacoma a bit over a year ago, but that's the extent of my exposure. So the question is: if you were looking to buy a Tacoma with the intent of frequently putting a Kimbo on it, what would you look for? What's a solid base that wouldn't require much modification? My intent is definitely not heavy overlanding, but more likely casual, weekend boondocking. I would want to be able to confidently use somewhat primitive roads and unmaintained, rutted roads -- the likes of which you often find on State Trust or BLM land in AZ. I had been perusing late second gen access cab 4x4 v6 TRDs, but I really don't have a good understanding of what would make different trims or model years more or less suitable for this kind of thing. The one thing I know is that my preference is to have a small footprint.

Thanks!

 

I should be installing my Lagun Table mount this coming weekend. First holes to be drilled into the Kimbo. Has to happen some time... Ill be using a 1" HDPE plastic backplate on the inside in place of the 1" rigid insulation. This HDPE board will also be used for other spacers when attaching things to walls. Plan on sealing inside and out. I may use a .5" plate on the outside too. I've mentioned this before, the benefits of this table is light weight, removable, and custom your own table top. I'll be using cardboard to see what works best for us. Links below. Throwing this out there early incase I need to reconsider anything.

https://www.rv-table-mount.com

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Sheet, Opaque Off-White, Standard Tolerance, ASTM D4976-245, 1.000" Thickness, 12" Width, 12" Length

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ILG0XM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I would look for a Tundra.

 

Been thinking about that question too if didn’t already have my Tacoma. Honestly I’d probably not go Toyota. There are some better options if looking for a full size that offer better MPG and performance I believe. The couple I paired up with randomly to run out to an off grid overlook 3hr one way had a Tundra. Both were happy to have someone else to rag along since it was both our first time out this way. With his current setup was getting the same MPG as mine with the camper 11-12mpg. I guess I don’t know exactly what your looking for specifically but there are some GMC 1500s that 20mpg combined. Although Tundra is more dependable then Ram supposedly. That may allow you to haul the Kimbo more efficiently but you sacrifice a little on overall size or benefit with more interior space of a full size. Could go either way.

 

Good questions man. I just took mine off for the first time. Long story short, pretty easy, one man job, and took about 15-20 min total with two using hand drills with the jack bit.

They give you two hand cranks and one bit for a drill. I ordered a second and my girlfriend helped lower one side at a time. I just ordered an adjustable support for the over the cab portion. They recommend you have the front supported if off the truck and living/sleeping in it. The stands are so over built though, 2,000lbs each. Love that.

As far as a truck goes, get the V6 minimum. Mine hauled it very well, never needing to shift up to 3k rpm unless you wanted to pass someone over 50mph up a Mountain pass. An SR5, Sport, or Off-road will due. You’ll need to upgrade tires and suspension either way. Best to have a long bed too. The tailgate makes a nice porch. Thats about it. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks, that's definitely helpful. Good to know that two people, each with drills, can make short work of the process. It honestly takes me about the same amount of time to put the hitch carrier for my dirt bike on the Crosstrek and load that up and tie it down.

Good advice on the truck. I'm by no means a glutton for power, and I won't be in any hurry when I'm out camping anyways. For context, about two years ago I was happily in a Honda Fit, so I have a slightly different baseline for size and power. Fuel economy on the other hand, as you mentioned, is definitely a consideration, and I'll have to weigh that in. My neighbor has a Tundra, so at a minimum I should go over and take a look at that. At the end of the day I want something I'll feel comfortable in and where I won't be worried about getting stuck somewhere.